Greg Kot

Chance the Rapper is helping change the rules of the music business and the industry professionals who dish out the Grammy awards are finally paying attention.

In his first year of eligibility for the Grammys, the Chicago artist reaped a windfall -- he was nominated Tuesday for seven awards. Beyonce’s nine nominations led the way, which makes her the most nominated female artist in Grammy history.

The Recording Academy, made up of 13,000 music professionals, also handed out eight nominations apiece to Drake, Kanye West and Rihanna. But among the nominees in 84 categories, Chance was perhaps the only one who could qualify as historic.

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